Fire ants are an invasive species. Their first appearance in North American was in Alabama dating back to the 1930’s. Fire ants spread throughout much of the southern states as the climate was preferable to them. Fire ants thrive and mate when soil temperatures are between 70-95 degrees F and are most active in the spring and fall. Fire ants are predators and are known to have a painful sting when disrupted.

Male and female winged fire ants will fly into the air during mating season and the females will return to the ground to lay eggs. About 1% of these females survive their landing and they will lay anywhere between 100,000-300,000 eggs per year for up to 7 years. Worker ants will secrete an enzyme that breaks down solid food to liquid and will help feed the young and Queen by passing the liquified food to each other. The Queen fire ant is the last to take in food, in order to preserve her in cases that the food is tainted.